Shloka 12

रावणवधः — The Slaying of Ravana

Brahmāstra Discharge

Devanagari script

नन्दनंवानरेन्द्राणांरक्षसामवसादनम् ।वाजितंविविधैर्वाजैश्चारुचित्रैर्गरुत्मतः ।।।।

Transliteration

nandanaṁ vānarendrāṇāṁ rakṣasām avasādanam |

vājitaṁ vividhair vājaiś cāru-citrair garutmataḥ ||

Translation

അത് വാനരേന്ദ്രന്മാർക്ക് ആനന്ദം പകരുന്നതായിരുന്നുവെങ്കിലും രാക്ഷസർക്കു നാശകാരണം; ഗരുഡന്റെ ചിറകുപോലെ മനോഹര ചിത്രങ്ങളുള്ള, പലവിധ ശോഭന പീലികളാൽ അലങ്കരിച്ച അമ്പായിരുന്നു.

Word by Word

• nandanam: delight
• nandanam: Karma/Phala (कर्म/फल; ‘delight’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nandana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• vānarendrāṇām: of the monkey-lords
• vānarendrāṇām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/‘of/for’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vānara + indra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (lord of monkeys); पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive/6th), बहुवचन

• rakṣasām: of the rākṣasas
• rakṣasām: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/‘of/for’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rakṣas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive/6th), बहुवचन

• avasādanam: destruction, crushing
• avasādanam: Karma/Phala (कर्म/फल)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ava-sādana (प्रातिपदिक; from √sad with ava-)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन

• vājitam: furnished/adorned
• vājitam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vājita (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √vāj/√vaj?)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्यय (past participle; ‘adorned/provided’); नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• vividhaiḥ: various
• vividhaiḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vividha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुं/नपुंसक, तृतीया (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन; विशेषण of vājaiḥ

• vājaiḥ: with plumes/feathers
• vājaiḥ: Karaṇa (करण/instrument; ‘with plumes/feathers’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन

• cāru-citraiḥ: beautiful and variegated
• cāru-citraiḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: cāru + citra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: द्वन्द्व-समास (cāru and citra as a pair of qualities); तृतीया (Instrumental/3rd), बहुवचन; विशेषण of vājaiḥ

• garutmataḥ: of Garuḍa (the eagle)
• garutmataḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/‘of’)
• Type: Noun
• Root: garutmat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (Genitive/6th), एकवचन

Context

Provides delight for Vanara chiefs, causes destruction of Rakshasas, provides picturesque plumes of eagles to arrows.

Characters & Entities

• Vānara chiefs (vānarendrāḥ)
• Rākṣasas (rakṣas)
• Garuḍa (garutmat)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma is implied through rightful force: what brings joy to the righteous allies (Vānaras supporting justice) becomes destruction for the unrighteous aggressors (Rākṣasas). Power is shown as morally directed, not random violence.

What is the narrative situation?

The narration describes the extraordinary arrow prepared for the climactic strike—visually marked by splendid, Garuḍa-like feathers—signaling an imminent decisive turn against Rāvaṇa’s forces.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s disciplined resolve (niyama) is foregrounded indirectly: the weapon’s purposeful preparation reflects controlled, duty-bound action rather than impulsive rage.